PREFACE. 



THE preparation of this book was undertaken, 

 primarily, that the classes in Agriculture of the 

 State Normal School of Kirksville, Missouri, 

 might have in one book the directions for all 

 laboratory experiments and exercises, and such 

 information as would enable them to under- 

 stand the results of these experiments. 



We believe that the book will meet the needs 

 of most schools where Agriculture is taught or 

 should be taught. 



It has been deemed necessary to embody in 

 the text such facts and principles of Geology 

 and Botany as are absolutely essential to the 

 understanding of agricultural principles and 

 processes. 



The work is intended to cover one year's 

 time, but any part of it may be omitted if 

 the necessary materials cannot be obtained. 

 The time to be spent upon each phase of the 

 work must be determined by the class, the 

 materials accessible, and the teacher. 



It is neither pedagogical nor scientific to tell 

 a student what he can find out for himself. It 

 takes away both the incentive and the necessity 

 for experimental work to foretell the result. 



